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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MEMORY OF SUSAN GREENE
WHEREAS, Susan Greene, a devoted advocate for access to quality health care for all people died on May 22, 2015 leaving behind her beloved daughter Nicole Greene, many friends, family members and a community inspired by her leadership and accomplishments in life; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene was born in Sherman, Texas and resided in Evanston for nearly twenty-five years; she was a treasured member of the community. She excelled at Antioch College in Ohio, and learned from an early age the importance of civil service. Susan continued her family’s proud legacy of commitment to social justice as an activist in the civil rights movement and raised her daughter with the same values; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene was a pioneer in her efforts to provide access to high quality health care services to the people of Cook County. The legacy of Susan’s passion for health care advocacy can be observed across the country in the cities of Houston, Los Angeles as well as Chicago, where she helped launch a health care center in some of the city’s highest-need neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, Susan Greene was a staunch advocate throughout her life. She was instrumental in bringing health care coverage prior to the passage of the national Affordable Care Act and later helped lead the effort that provided health care coverage to over 100,000 uninsured people of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene will be sorely missed by the Evanston North Shore branch of the NAACP where she was a beloved board member for over a decade. She was passionate about education and served on the education committee. Susan was a “District 65 board watcher” often speaking at the podium regarding the educational opportunities, or lack thereof, for Evanston’s students of color. Her generosity was legendary; on occasion she would personally provide funding for a needy scholarship applicant. Susan worked tirelessly for the referendum supporting the building of a school in Evanston’s Fifth Ward; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene’s intelligence, creativity and compassion for people was inspiring to those around her. She strived to instill in her family, friends and colleagues a strong sense of commitment to the well-being of others; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene enjoyed a fun-filled and adventurous life aside from her devotion to her family and community. She regularly enjoyed tennis tournaments and sitting in the sun during her regular visits to her favorite retreat in Mexico, Sayulita; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene was a forward thinking leader whose impact will long be felt in her family and in communities across the entire county and beyond. Susan’s leadership helped ensure a more equitable and long-lasting change in healthcare, enriching the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and many more to come; and
WHEREAS, Susan Greene will be mourned by thousands of the lives she touched in Evanston, Cook County and cities across the country. She leaves behind her treasured daughter, Nicole; her mother, Mary; her father Earl; her sister Sharon (Russell Ramirez); her brother Doug (Sue Sawicki); and nieces Eva, Rebecca, and Claire and nephew Douglas. She is also survived by many friends who love her and were inspired by her; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of Susan Greene, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions she has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Susan Greene.end